- Day 51 of 366 Days of Writing Challenge: Reflection
- The Emotion Challenge: Shy
- Hogwarts Funfair/Hedge Maze - Left Turn: (dialogue) "Fine. But I'm coming with you."
- Hogwarts Funfair/Dunk Tank: For WolfWinks :) James/Regulus
- Gringotts Prompt Bank/Scenarios: There are loads of empty seats on this train but you choose to sit with me.
Pairings/Characters: James/Regulus
Word Count: 454
Unlikely Friends
We watch the day go by, stories of all we did, it made me think of you.
Regulus sighed as he stared out of the window at the passing scenery. His reflection glared back at him. No-one on this train wants to sit with you, Regulus, his conscience was seething. Why can't you just be popular like Sirius?
It was his first year at Hogwarts, so it was to be expected that he didn't have any friends yet. All of his family members who were at Hogwarts were older than him, and they had their own friends. They didn't want their kid cousin (or brother, in Sirius's case) tagging along.
Sirius had bolted away from Regulus the minute they arrived on the platform. He had no interest in making sure Regulus wasn't on his own.
As he watched the hills and fields pass by, he wondered how far away from Hogwarts the train was. His thoughts were interrupted, however, by the sound of the door to his compartment opening.
A familiar, older boy was standing in the entryway. He had scruffy, short black hair, and wore round spectacles. He grinned mischievously, before closing the compartment door behind him and sitting opposite Regulus. "I'm James," he introduced, holding out his hand for Regulus to shake. "Sirius told us that his baby brother was going to be joining the school this year. I just had a right go at him for leaving you sitting on your own, that's no way to treat your brother."
Regulus smiled shyly. "You didn't have to come here," he replied, shaking James's hand.
"Of course I did," James replied. "If I had a kid brother, I'd want my friends to be nice to him, too. Anyway, the gang are all coming now to join us in this compartment," he leaned forward, holding his hand up like he was going to tell a secret. "Not because they want to join us, but because your charming brother let off a dungbomb in there."
Regulus laughed, but the smile left his face when he remembered Sirius. "No offence, James, but I'll probably find another compartment before my brother and your friends come along. He would hate the thought of being forced to sit beside me." Regulus stood up, reaching for his rucksack. "But it was nice to meet you."
James grabbed Regulus's hand suddenly, letting it go almost as quickly. "Don't go," he said quietly.
"It would be best." Regulus allowed the shadow of a smile to ghost his face, before reaching for the compartment door.
"Fine," James said, and Regulus heard him climb up from his seat. "But I'm coming with you."
Regulus couldn't help but smile. Things were looking up.
